Time of the Twi'lek
A new Bad Batch last night, another one with some interesting aspects to its premise but strangely dull in execution. It's the second episode from former Netflix Daredevil writer Tamara Becher-Wilkenson, appropriately called "Devil's Deal".
At least this time there's a more concrete reason for citizens of a planet being angered by a new Imperial presence. Seeking to open a new refinery on Ryloth, the Empire sends Vice Admiral Rampart (Noshir Dalal) to work with Senator Orn Free Taa (Phil LaMarr) to get the Twi'leks to disarm their independent military. This really seems like something the Empire would do and it seems like a real reason for the citizens to be upset.
Again, though, I'm bored by the crowd shots of generic, cookie cutter people. I miss how George Lucas had all Twi'lek women dress as strippers but, even if we have to let go of sexual temptation in fantasy, they could still at least be interesting.
The episode centres on a character from Rebels, Hera Syndulla, and the episode works as a bridge between the Clone Wars episodes that featured her father, a general during the Clone Wars, and Rebels. I mostly hated Rebels but Hera was the only character I liked so I didn't mind seeing her again, especially since she's still voiced by Vanessa Marshall, the reason I liked the character to begin with. She gets a brief meeting with Omega (Michelle Ang) who remarks that she likes Hera, an odd moment that reminded me of Thor proclaiming that he likes Captain Marvel, which makes me think this is partly to promote a new series about Hera, which has been rumoured.
It was nice to see one of the regular clone troopers presented as being sympathetic to the Twi'leks, showing that Order 66 actually hasn't completely changed their personalities. Overall, though, the episode wasn't exciting as it should have been.
The Bad Batch is available on Disney+.